Oh, it depends - When around people who know that GNU's in there, I omit it. Even otherwise, I just drop it, in casual conversation. It's only when I find someone having a wrong impression (Linux 9, anyone? ).

I think it's technically right, but there's no other real choice - if someone made a BSD base system on top of a Linux kernel or something, it makes more sense, but being just GNU and Linux, there's no real point, except for those who are like I mentioned.

i agree. i think it's defintely right to include GNU in it since a lot of it is indeed GNU stuff, but it's mad hard to say. If people ask me what I run, i tell em gentoo. If that leaves them with a puzzled face, just mention linux, and then they'll get it.

If people ask me what I run, i tell em gentoo. If that leaves them with a puzzled face, just mention linux, and then they'll get it.

I think this is actually the best answer (or side-step, if you want). Lately, especially after hearing coworkers complain about the "splintering" of Linux and how it will hurt its acceptance, I've decided that it's best just to refer to distributions as if they were separate entities. People have no trouble distinguishing between, for example, Windows 2000, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows Me, so ideally they shouldn't have any trouble with Gentoo, SuSE (and SLES), Red Hat (and Fedora), etc.

"But wait," you might ask, "then what should the all-encompassing equivalent to 'Windows' or 'MacOS' be?" I'm kind of thinking there really isn't one on that level. Each distribution has its own philosophy of doing things, so naming the distribution is about as general as you can get without masking differences that shouldn't be masked. Of course, you can then emphasize that these distributions are in fact built with the same tools, and these tools include the Linux kernel along with software provided by GNU (and BSD and other sources).

But that's too much of answer for what was supposed to be a simple question, isn't it? Eh, I just say "Linux." _________________Proud to be a... eh, forget it.

Linux is much easier - and if you are talking to Windosey people they probably won't have a clue what you are on about if you say GNU/Linux, but may understand just Linux.

I think GNU/Linux is just for people who want to be correct about everything they say - for example you aren't going to go around saying Microsoft Windows all the time instead of just Windows (or whatever else you call it ).

Also Linux has been worked on by many thousands (is that a bit exagerated?) of people - it seems a bit unfair that one organisation has its name in the title but everyone else gets left out.

I always use GNU/Linux when writing, even to the point of calling Gentoo, Gentoo GNU/Linux, even though it's not the correct name. I believe the FSF requires acknowledgement for their technical as well as philosophical contributions. Basically, what we run is really nothing but GNU with a Linux kernel and a swanky package manager.

Just Linux. Simply because RMS is militant about GNU/Linux. Linux is easier to say, too.

@ RMS.

Besides, without Linux GNU would still be an OS without a kernel -- or as the HURD passed 1.0 yet?

The Hurd's site said a while back that it is as usable (has the same drivers/device support) as the 2.0 Linux kernel. *shrug*..I can't seem to find it now, and they are migrating to the L4 microkernel it looks like, so we may be in for a longer wait..._________________~~ Peter: Brony, GNU/Linux geek, caffeine addict, and Free Software advocate.
Who am I? :: EFF & FSF

Linux. I mean, if we're going to throw in GNU, we might as well throw in every other group that's contributed something. So let's just not and stick to the kernel. Besides, "Linux" is easier to pronounce then "Guh-new Slash Linux"_________________Registered Linux User #263260

I agree. How about when you talk about cars, do you say ford mustang every time you talk about mustangs. Probably not, you're more likely to just say mustang. People still know what you are talking about.

I would also get annoyed with someone that kept saying GNU/Linux in conversation too. We're geeks, we shorten things by nature. rm || remove.

/rant_________________Does it also predict tomorrows lottery-numbers? -- Evangelion on The Bible

If I were to write a professional article on Linux, I would use GNU/Linux.

If I were talking to anybody, the non-savvy people would know what it is, and the people that do know already know what the GNU is, I would just use 'Linux'.

GNU/* is like adding 'Sir' or "Ma'am' in from of the name. It's formal, but you usually don't use it unless your in a formal setting._________________I was a Gangster for Capitalism, by Major General Smedley Butler.